The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-01-27
A Princes Escapa de.

An English naval officer, at present
in this city, gave your correspondent
to-day an interesting little story about
the heir-apparent, once removed, ts the
English throne. writes Washington
correspondent of the New York Star.
Prince Alfred in 1862 was midship-
man on the St. George, TO which vessel
my informant was assigned at the time
1t was in the Baltic sea. The Young
prince had two existences. While ne
was aboard he would be treated in Just
the same manner as the other fellows Of
his mess, and pranks were played upon
him as frequently as upon the rest But
whenever he went ashore he was q
prince of England, and went in state,
always accompanied by Mai. Cowell,
now Sir John Cowell, who was his gov
ernor. One of the sublieutenants would
be obliged to steer the barge for his royal
highness, holding his hat IN his hand
meanwhile.
The very idea of lieutenant steer
ing the boat for young midshipman
like you" said a chatting officer to the
prince one day as they rowed to shore.
IN make you pay for this when you
get aboard again"
Really l can't help it; it's not my
fault" the lad replied, laughing.
The St George was lying off Reval,
in the Gulf of Finland, one day, and all
hands had been ashore playing, cricket.
Prince Alfred and MS chum, Tom Lar
kin, who belonged to yacht in the
harbor determined to 90 ashore again
that night. So after everybody was
asleep the prince stole from his bunk
and dropped over the side of the vessel
into fisherman's boat alongside and
made for the yacht. There Larkin Join
ed him. and they set of for a spree
and they had it. Meanwhile Mai.
COWell was informed of the disappear
ance of the prince, and there was a tre-
mendOus disturbance on board Every
nook and corner of the vessel was
searched, and two boats were sent out
to dredge the bottom of the gulf in the
fear that the prince had fallen over
board. Other boats were sent ashore
and the town was searched, without
success, however. The prince caught
sight of Maj Cowell and ran and hid
himself under an upturned boat and
covered himself with some old sacks
lying around. The searching party re-
bltl llCh " lLIC fCSSCi. Stub w Lll1C IL COll-
sultation was being held as to what to
do next the prince returned TO the vessel,
climbed up the chains, and was soon in
his berth. Here he was found shortly
after, and Commander Edgerton imme-
diately sent for him.
"Where have you been, sir?'' he de-
manded angrily.
1--we been in my hammock" the
prince replied, very innocently.
II desire 10 preyarication, sir"
stormed the commandant. Have you
been ashore to-night?'
Eyes, l have" Alfred Guelph answer
ed.
''yFho was with you?''
"That positively refuse to tell"
1t was found out, though, later, and
poor Tom Larkin was absolutely for
hidden the privilege of being presented
At court. This was not great priva-
ton to him, rs he died shortly after
ward. Young Alfred was punished by
having his stripes removed, being re-
duced to the rank of navel cadet, and
made to do double duty for a month.
He was to have been at CarIsruhe three
months later to stand as godfather to
| the child of one of his sisters, but
| Queen Victoria, who was much dis
| pleased with his escapadc refused to al
low him even to be present.